Endgame:Pryor v Montany

An interesting endgame was played between young Jamieson Pryor and Eric Montany in round two of the Markowski.

Pryor,Jamieson - Montany,Eric
Markowski (Round 2), 14.01.2009

A game fragment. Appearances can be deceiving, I thought White had the edge in this endgame but Black is actually winning in this position! 49...Ke8 Diagram

50.Rxb7 Ne7+ 51.Kh6 Diagram

[51.Kg5?? or any King retreat to the fifth rank is met by 51...Rf5+; 51.Kh7 Rf7+ 52.Bg7 d4 53.Rb3 d3 54.Rxd3 Nf5 winning] 51...Nc6 52.Bg7 Diagram

[52.Kg7 Rf2] 52...Rf7 53.a6 Nd8 [53...d4! 54.Kg6 Ne7+ 55.Rxe7+ Rxe7 56.Bxd4 e5 57.Be3 Re6+ 58.Kf5 Rxa6 59.Kxe5 Kd7 Analysis Diagram

 

with a problematical win for Black] 54.Rxf7 [54.Rb8 Rd7 55.Bd4 Kf7 is good for Black] 54...Kxf7 55.b4 Nc6 56.b5 Diagram

56...Ke7! This excellent move saves the game! 57.bxc6 Kd6 58.Bd4 Kxc6 59.Bxa7 Kb5 60.Kg6 Kxa6 61.Bd4 Kb5 62.Kf6 Kc4 63.Ke5 Diagram

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Both players are to be congratulated for a fine fighting performance!